Every Woman, Every Choice

In light of the proposed legislation regarding Homebirth, Maternity Coalition are holding a National day of action on the 4th July. I was originally going to go to the rally in Byron Bay, until we decided to hold our own on the Gold Coast. A few girls from the Friends of the Birth Centre & I are organising a rally to be held in Broadbeach tomorrow at 10am.

We've sent out invitations to as many people as we could (good 'ol facebook!), alerted the media and also our local politicians. I wrote to my local MP, who also happens to be one of my good friends husbands - so slightly awkward. I was tossing up whether to go with the casual "friendly" approach, or keep it formal. Astra did suggest I just wrote, "This is crap, oppose it", but I thought I should be a little nicer than that!

I'm a bit nervous about how everything is going to go tomorrow. We spent yesterday making up some banners and signs, then today I decided to quickly make up some bandanna's with "Our Birth, Our Choice" embroidered on them. They turned out well, so I'll had them out to a few people tomorrow. We wanted to do a walk, but as it was a last minute decision to hold the rally, we wouldn't have been able to get council approval in time. So we are just going to set up an area, with some banners, our signs, some information and just hope and pray that people turn up. I'll be happy if we get more than 20 people.

I'm taking the kids, and Grace must have been taking notice when we were making signs yesterday, she's been yelling out "My Birth, My Choice" and "Have a Homebirth". Very Cute. Duane's playing golf in the morning, but has asked how much bail money he thinks he will need to get us all out of jail!

I just think it's a really important cause. If the legislation goes through, it will be a very sad day for women's rights in Australia. I still can't believe that the Government is wanting to make it Illegal for Homebirth with a midwife to happen, for it to be a criminal act. It is so wrong that the choice of where to birth is taken out of our hands and being decided by a bunch of suits in Canberra.

So I'm channelling my inner 70's protester, and doing my bit to put a stop to this outrageous proposal.

Here's the letter I have sent to my local MP, Nicola Roxon (Health Minister) and K-Rudd.


Dear *****,

I am writing to you in regards to the proposed legislation that is going to make homebirth with a qualified Midwife in Australia Illegal.

Recently, draft legislation has been released that affects the ability of women in Australia to birth at home with a registered midwife in attendance. The title of the draft is “Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009” and can be found on the website: http://www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.asp.

The legislation states that from July 2010, health practitioners will need to be registered, and have insurance in order to do so. Unfortunately, no insurance has been made available to Independent Midwives, so they will not be able to register.
The legislation also includes a proposed fine of $30,000 for people who “incite or direct” unprofessional conduct. I can only assume, not being a lawyer, that this would include a woman who offers money to a midwife to attend her birth at home.

I am outraged that Homebirth will be a crime, and that those participating will be treated as criminals. I have had 2 hospital births and was planning on homebirths for any future children; my choice may soon be illegal. I am also planning on studying a Bachelor of Midwifery next year, with the hope of one day becoming an Independent Midwife. If this legislation is passed, I will have to rethink my career choice.

I wonder, if the choice to homebirth is taken away, will women still birth at home, but without a Midwife? Surely this is not a situation that the Government would like to encourage, considering Homebirth with an Independent Midwife has been proven to be a safe option.

This legislation is anti-women, anti-choice, indeed, anti-human rights. Please help prevent this backward step.

I also wanted to let you know that Maternity Coalition is conducting a “Day of Action” to send a message to Canberra that we do not accept being told where we can birth our babies. These rallies will be happening all over Australia, including one in your Electorate.

The details are as follows:
Day: Saturday 4th July
When: 10am
Where: Pratten Park

I urge you to oppose this legislation. Homebirth is not a crime.

Yours Sincerely

Kirsten Penney